Electrical game scorer



Oct. 24, 1961 M. K. oLsoN ELECTRICAL GAME: scoRER 2 Sheets-Shea?. 1

Filed July 25, 1957 INVENTOR M54 wai K. 0450A/ TTOPA/EZ M. K. OLSON ELECTRICAL GAME SCORER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 24, 1961 Filed July 25, 195'? 3,005,587 ELECTRICAL GAME SCORER Melville K. Ulson, 15756 Via Arroyo,-

San Lorenzo, Calif. Filed Jury 25, 1957, ser. No. 674,033 6 Ciams. (Cl. 23S-92) foglnlgelvgorats tran electrical scoring machine ticulrly to an e-lectrri cula ity 'of player?, and more parralty oscorm .unit a scoring machine having a' plui g s which may `be set up for additional players only so long as no score has been entered.

So far as is known to the inventor, no electrical scoring systemexists in the prior art which duplicates the features of the invention herein, and in particular which duplicates the feature wherein the entry of a score on a scoring unit de-energizes the setup circuit, preventing additional players from entering the game once it has been started.

The invention includes a plurality of scoring units, which may be any desired number, each said scoring unit 1nclud1ng a switch and a magnet for stepping up the score and preferably a switch and a magnet for stepping down the score, a setup unit which includes contacts for electrically connecting the desired number of scoring units, a play relay, a reset relay, and a reset unit.

When the game is started, both the play relay and the reset relay are in their de-energized positions. A master control switch is closed to step the setup unit so that it connects the required number of scoring units. Thereafter, the tirst score that is entered closes a set of contacts on the particular scoring unit, thereby causing the play relay to become energized and effectively disconnecting the master control switch from the setup unit. Thereafter, depression of the same master control switch causes the scoring units to reset to zero as will be hereinafter described.

When the required number of scoring units have been energized, the game is commenced and the scores entered on the various scoring units as the game progresses. Additional players cannot enter the game once it has been started, since the setup circuit is now disconnected and operation of the master control switch will cause the scoring units to reset to zero. Where fees are charged for playing the game this feature makes control of the players andcollection of fees possible with a minimum of supervision.

When the game is ended, the master control switch is closed once again. This now energizes the reset relay, which in turn operates the interrupter unit to reset all the scoring units to zero. When the last scoring unit has been returned to zero, the circuit associated with the sets of contacts on each scoring unit opens de-energizing both the play relay and the reset relay, and a new game is ready to begin.

Various modifications are possible and are within the scope of the invention herein. For example, for use with a particular game, the scorer may omit the switch and electromagnet associated with subtracting the score on each scoring unit, and other means provided to return each unit to zero. In such a case, of course, no interrupter unit is necessary. Or, for example, a vibratory circuit may be included in the common power lead to the scoring units, thereby causing the scores to automatically add and subtract, as the case may be, so long as the particular scoring unit add or subtract switch is held down.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the drawing and the detailed description hereinafter following, wherein: I

FIG. l is a schematic diagram of a portion of the scoring machine, and

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the remaining portion of said scoring machine.

ice

FIGS. 1 and 2 are `continuations of the same diagram, and should be consulted together during the description that follows.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, terminal 11 and terminal 13 are provided for connection to an A.C. source. Said AC. source is connected through a fuse 23 to primary winding 17 of transformer 15. Transformer secondary winding 19 is connected through fuse 27 and conductor 75 to a lamp 73 in each scoring unit. Each said lamp 73 is returned by a conductor such as conductor 71 to a contact on the setup unit such as contact 70. The common return for said contacts through shorting bar 67 completes the circuit to transformer winding 19.

The portion of the circuit including transformer winding 9, fuse 27, lamps 72, switch contacts 7 0' and shorting bar 67 operates in the following manner. As the setup unit is stepped once for each player in the manner to be hereinafter described, shorting bar 67 contacts the contacts such as contact 70 for the individual scoring units, lighting a lamp 73 on each scoring unit as it is connected, indicating that each such unit is ready to 1'eceive a score.

Transformer 15 also has a secondary winding 21 which is connected through fuse 25 to a master control switch 51, which in turn is connected through operating magnet 61 of the setup unit to complete the circuit to transformer Winding 21.

Operation of this portion of the circuit is as follows. When the master control switch 51 is closed, operating magnet 61 is energized, pulling down arm 63 and arm 64, thereby causing ratchet wheel 65 to be stepped around and thereby also stepping shorting -bars 67 and 69 once for each closing of master control switch 51. Latching pawl 66 on arm 64 keeps ratchet wheel 65 from returning to its original position as the setup unit is stepped.

Each scoring unit includes a set of contacts such as contacts 97 on scoring unit 1. These contacts 97 are open as shown in FIG. 2 only open so long as no score is entered. When a score is entered, pin associated with number wheel 91 is moved away from contacts 9-7, allowing contacts 97 to close. A circuit including the transformer winding 21, fuse 25, contacts 87, operating Winding 31 of the play relay and contacts 97 is thus completed, and the play relay is energized. Contacts 87 are associated with the setup unit and are operated by a peg on ratchet wheel 65. Contacts S7 become closed after one or more scoring units are activated.

The operation of this portion of the circuit is as follows. When one or more scoring units have been energized 'by stepping the setup unit one or more times, switch 87 is closed. The entry of a score on any scoring unit causes its contacts 97 to close, thereby energizing the play relay as described hereinafter. Entry of further scores on the first scoring unit has no further effect, since one set of contacts 97 are already closed, and likewise entry of scores on additional scoring units has no effect, since the circuit is already completed through the first set of contacts 97.

When the play relay is energized, contacts 37, which are connected in parallel with contacts 87 of the setup unit, are closed, and therefore serve to keep the play relay energized so long as there is a score on any scoring unit due to the holding circuit through contacts 97 on such units. This holding or locking action is necessary because, as will be seen hereinafter, the setup unit is completely reset by coil 81 immediately upon the closing of the master control switch 51 after the play relay circuits have been established. Were it not for contacts 37, the play relay would become de-energized before all scoring units had been reset to zero.

Contacts 35 of the play relay, when closed, form a circuit including winding 21, fuse 25, master control switch 51, contacts 47, operating coil 41 of the reset relay, and contacts 35 of the play relay. Contacts 33 of the play relay are also closed by the energizing of the play relay, and thereby form a circuit including master control switch S1 and reset coil 81 of the setup unit. The circuit through operating coil 61 is ineffective upon the operation of the play relay.

Only one scoring unit is depicted in full in FIG. 2, this being scoring unit No. 1. The other scoring units are the same as .the unit No. 1 depicted, and have been omitted in their details to clarify the drawing. The operation of all scoring units is likewise the same. Scores are entered by successively operating switch 105 to increase the score, thereby completing a circuit through operating winding 8?., which in turn moves operating arm 83 and pawl 85 to cause rotation of number wheel 95, or by operating switch 193 to decrease the score, thereby completing a circuit through operating winding 101, which moves operating arm 83 and paWl 37 Ito cause an opposite rotation of number wheel 93. Number Wheels 95 and 93 are joined, and the score is accordingly increased or decreased according to which switch is operated. The electrical circuit which is completed when switch 105 is closed includes winding 21, fuse 25, coil 82 and switch'lllS, and similarly the electrical circuit which is completed when switch 193 is closed includes winding 21, fuse 25, coil 161 and switch 163. Both circuits also include conductor 77, contact 76 on the setup unit, and shorting Ibar 69 on the setup unit. Sincetno circuit will exist between contact '76 and shorting bar 69 for scoring units not set up, no lscore may be entered on such units.

When the game is ended, the master control switch 51 is closed, completing the circuit outlined hereinabove through operating coil 41 of .the reset relay, causing said relay `to become energized. Reset coil 81 of the setup unit also operates through the circuit including the Vclosed contacts 33 of the play relay. The setup unit issthereby reset to no units activated, but the play relay continued to be locked up by contracts 37. Y

Operation of the reset relay closes contacts d3, completing a circuit including operating `coil 41, contacts 35, contacts 97, winding 21 and fuse 25. This circuit causes the reset relay to lock up until all scores have returned to zero.

Closing of contacts 45 completes a circuit to motor 55, and Vcauses motor 55 to rotate interrupter wheel 57, interrupting contacts such as contacts 59 associated with the subtract coil of each scoring unit. Operation on contacts 59 causes scoring unit No. l to step back to no score.

Contacts 47 are opened when the reset relay is oper-y ating. Contacts 47 when closed allow current to flow in the reset relay operating coil 41 upon closing master control switch 51. When opened by the operation of the reset relay they disable this circuit.

When all scoring units Vhave been returned to zero, all contacts 97 are open, this opens both the circuit ythrough coil 31 of the play relay and the circuit through coil 41 of :the reset relay, causing -the machine to return to its originally described condition. Y

Closing of the master control switch also completes a circuit through coil 81 of the setup unit, allowing-spring 83 to return ratchet 65 to its original position against stop 85. i

Various modiiications of the invention are possible without departing from the spiritA and scope of the inven-V tion as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is: i

1. An electrical game scoring machine comprising a plurality of scoring units, a rst circuit including a master control switch'for activating one said unit for each player, a second circuit including a relay and switching means on each saidscoring unit for causing the first scorev entered on any scoring unit to disable Vsaid setupV circuit, and aV third circuit for resetLng all scoring units to zero.

2. An electrical game scoring machine as deiined in claim 1 wherein said iirst score entered also causes said master control switch to besremoved from said first circuit and inserted in said 'third circuit to control the operation thereof.

3. In anV electrical lscoring machine, the combination of a plurality of individually operated scoring units, a setup circuit including a setup unit for electrically activating one said scoring unit for each player so that scores may be entered thereon, a disabling circuit including contacts on each scoring unit operable by the first score entered thereon and a relay for disabling said setup circuit, and a reset circuit including an interrupter for resetting all scoring units to zero.

4. In an electrical scoreboard, a plurality of scoring units each including at least one register wheel, a master control switch, a setup circuit including said switch for activating one scoring unit for each play, a disabling circuit including a relay and a set of contacts on each scoring unit operated by said register wheels for disabling said setup circuit, and a reset circuit including said master control switch, said reset circuit being formed to include said master control switch by said rst score entered on a scoring unit, whereby said mastter control switch serves both to set up the required number of scoring units and to reset said scoring units to zero.

5. An electrical scoring machine including a first circuit, a disabling circuit and a reset circuit, means for making electrically operable only one of said circuits at a time, said means including a play relay and a plurality of scoring units each including a'register wheel and a set of contacts operated by said register wheel whereby the iirst score entered moves said register wheel thereby opening said contacts to disconnect said setup circuit and connect said disabling circuit, areset switch and a reset relay for disconnecting said disabling circuit and connecting said reset circuit, and a circuit including said sets of contacts for disconnecting said reset circuit and connecting said setup circuit when all said scoring units have been reset to zero. t i

6. An electrical scoring machine for pool, billiards and the like comprising a plurality of electrical operated scoring units, each said unit including a register wheel and a switch and magnet for increasing by steps the score on said wheel and a switch and magnet for decreasing by steps the score on said wheel, a setup circuitV including a control switch and a shorting type stepping relay for connecting electrical power to a desired number of said scoring units, a disabling circuit including a set of contacts on each scoring unit operated by said register wheel and a play relay, said play relay being energized upon the opening of any one of said sets of contacts by said register wheel when anV initial score is entered, a reset circuit including said control switch, a reset relay and an interrupter unit, said reset circuit being connected ready to operate only when said disabling relay is energized, connections between said disabling relay and said control switch for energizing said reset relay, circuit means connected between said reset relay and `said interrupter unit for operatingl said interrupter unit to step all scoring units to zero, and a circuit including said sets of contacts on each scoring unit for de-energizing said disabling relay and said reset relay when all said scores are re` turned to zero.

Reterences Cited in the le of'this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

